Shotgun Cartridges, by Calibre and Loading

I use the terms "shotgun cartridge" and "shotshell"
interchangeably. Dimensions on the shotgun pages are a mixture of
metric and imperial measurements. The use of one or the other
usually signifies the original design criteria. The table below brings
together some features of the different calibres. 14 G,
24 G and 32 G are rare, in addition the 0.360 is both centrefire a rimfire
'garden gun' sometimes known as a 9 mm or a No. 3 (there was a
rimfire 0.200" smoothbore for shooting rats, which I think was
known as a No. 2 garden gun... The German equivalent for this was
'5 mm glatt', but I have no details).

The Components that are used in the manufacture of shotgun cartridges are linked
here.

* Metric values used here are not actual dimensions, but
modern nominal chamber lengths. The cartridge case length for any
particular load may not match the dimensions or nominal chamber length,
but the figures on the cartridge or cartridge packaging will be
the chamber length for which the round is intended. The figures used
in English Proof are rounded to the nearest 5 mm.

The 'Nominal Loads' column may not appear to be consistent,
in any case many loads will be found that differ from the figures
given, such differences are not 'wrong', but care should taken to
ascertain the validity of your figures if they vary much from the
chart. Loads for 4 bore vary quite widely and the 4 ounce one
quoted is usually associated with smaller powder charges.

Gauge

Bore

Chamber ID

Chamber

Rim Recess

Nominal

Wad

or

ID

Front

Rear

Length

OD

Depth

Rad

Load

Dia

No.

'F' "

'C' "

'B' "

'E' "

mm*

'A' "

'D' "

'R' "

Oz

Grams

Inches

4

0.935

1.035

1.090

4.00

-

1.200

0.130

0.030

4

114

0.948

8

0.835

0.914

0.930

3.25

80

1.035

0.115

0.020

2

57

0.845

10

0.775

0.845

0.861

3.25

80

0.933

0.074

0.020

-

0.784

10

0.775

0.845

0.859

2.875

75

0.933

0.074

0.020

1.4375

41

0.784

10

0.775

0.845

-

2.625

65

0.933

0.074

0.020

1.3125

37

0.784

12

0.729

0.800

0.815

3.00

75

0.886

0.074

0.020

1.625

46

0.738

12

0.729

0.800

0.813

2.75

70

0.886

0.074

0.020

1.5

42.5

0.738

12

0.729

0.800

0.812

2.50

65

0.886

0.074

0.020

1.0625

30

0.738

12

0.729

0.800

?

2.00

50

0.886

0.074

0.020

0.875

25

0.738

14

0.693

0.763

0.775

2.560

65

0.847

0.068

0.020

x

x

0.702

16

0.662

0.732

0.745

2.75

70

0.815

0.062

0.020

1.125

32

0.671

16

0.662

0.732

0.744

2.560

65

0.815

0.062

0.020

0.9375

26.5

0.671

20

0.615

0.685

0.698

2.75

70

0.766

0.060

0.020

1.00

28.5

0.623

20

0.615

0.685

0.698

2.560

65

0.766

0.060

0.020

0.8125

23

0.623

24

0.579

0.649

0.661

2.50

65

0.728

0.060

0.020

-

0.587

28

0.550

0.614

0.626

2.50

65

0.688

0.060

0.020

0.5625

16

0.557

32

0.502

0.562

0.574

2.50

65

0.636

0.060

0.015

-

0.509

67

0.410

0.465

-

3.00

75

0.537

0.060

0.015

0.625

18

0.415

67

0.410

0.465

-

2.50

65

0.537

0.060

0.015

0.4375

12.5

0.415

67

0.410

0.465

0.475

2.00

50

0.537

0.060

0.015

0.3125

9

0.415

No 3

0.360

0.415

0.424

1.75

-

0.479

0.050

0.015

-

0.363

To be pedantic, The bore relating to 67 gauge should be 0.411", however the
use of 67 in respect of the .410 is relatively common and falls within the allowable
tolerance.

I also have had numerous ideas, that for various reasons have not been acted
upon. I include them in these pages in the hope that they may inspire others to pursue and
develop them.

The Greener calibre is actually a bottle necked metallic
cartridge that uses crimp closure, but it is included here as it is
(was) a special 'Police' shotgun that is basically a single shot
Martini action shotgun with a higher than normal service pressure.
(believed to be 8 tons / sq")

Conversely there are some shot loadings among the metallic rifle and pistol
calibres.

I have always had a personal fancy for the 28 gauge, I have
never owned one, but I would like to try a side by side 25" with
"Churchill" type rib (boxlock or sidelock). I think the
speed of handling coupled with a rearward balance would produce lightening handleability.